The Fotokite Phi: An Awesome Quadcopter Camera On a Leash

Perspective Robots AG, a company in Zurich, Switzerland has created the Fotokite Phi. The name most likely comes from the fact that it flies in the same manner as a kite. Instead of a remote control, it’s operated from a 26-foot leash that keeps it close and guides it. This makes it especially easy for UAV newbies to get a feel of flying a quadcopter. Another advantage is that the leash puts onlookers who are still hesitant of drones at ease. It’s far more comforting to see the gadget attached to a person rather than roaming the skies alone.

This quadcopter continues to gain popularity and expertly combines UAV technology and a sense of security for both the owner and the general public through its unique features. It can be folded and weighs 12 ounces, so it can quickly and easily be carried around, put away, or set up for use.

Many UAVs have a flight time of about a half hour or so, but this one can fly for hours on end, mostly because it sources its power from the ground thanks to its tether. Safety is always a top priority when using a copter in a public space, so the Phi is made of materials that are soft enough to not cause harm, even if they fall into someone.

Soft, compact, and guided without a remote controller, the Fotokite Phi has blurred the lines in terms of defining a quadcopter. Currently, this keeps the device safe from regulation as a drone. With its bright colors and fun design, it’s also quite attractive. Used for Photojournalism or just for fun, it was created with diverse users in mind to simplify the process of operating a quadcopter when capturing aerial photography. Owners just need their own GoPro camera to go along with it. As of now, the Fotokite Phi is very well priced if you consider its features and the fact that most people can learn to use it within 5 minutes.